These frequently asked questions about Thailand travel are intended to give visitors general information about such topics as getting a Thailand visa, Thailand travel methods, health and safety, accommodation, and understanding Thailand customs’ regulations.

Thailand operates a good, cheap and safe transport system. From the main hub in Bangkok, all the major tourist destinations are accessible by either, bus, train, boat, or domestic and international air services.

Bus Terminals

• EKKAMAI STATION

EASTERN THAILAND -To get here take the BTS (sky train) and alight at Ekkamai Station on Sukhumvit Road.

• MO CHIT STATION

CENTRAL, NORTHEAST & NORTHERN THAILAND - To get here take the BTS (sky train) and get down at Mo Chit Station (terminal station). Then you can take a motorbike taxi for about 50 baht to reach the bus station.

• SAI TAI MAI STATION

SOUTHERN THAILAND - To get there you can take bus number 511 from Sukhumvit Road or the Constitutional Monument.

Koh Kham - Catch an air conditioner bus from the Ekkamai Bus Terminal to Trat province. (Ekkamai Bus Terminal is located at Ekkamai Station on the BTS (sky train) along Sukhumvit Road.) When you arrive at Trat province, get on a bus to Kromluang Chumphon Pier in Laem Ngob. There the boats of Koh Kham Resort will be waiting. The journey to the island takes 1.5 hours. If you are at Koh Maak, you can just hire a motor boat from Koh Maak Resort at Ao Suan Yai to the island. The fee is 70 baht and the journey takes only about 10 minutes.

Koh Mook - From Bangkok catch a bus from the Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Trang Province. From Trang town, ride a bus running between Trang and Kuan Thung Ku for about 9km. The passenger boat leaves Kuan Thung Ku pier to Koh Muk once a day at 8.00 am, and back from Ao Pangka pier at Koh Muk at 3.00 pm. The journey takes around 30 minutes and the boat fee is 40 baht. Motorboat charter is also available for around 400 baht.

Koh Nang Yuan - From Bangkok catch a bus from the Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Chumphon Province. Ao Makham Noi pier is where you can catch the high speed catamaran of Lomprayah company to the island within 1.5 hrs. You can also buy a complete travel package from Lomprayah in Bangkok that is more affordable and convenient. The speed boat leaves Ao Makham Noi pier in Chumphon twice a day at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm. You can also find speed boats at Tha Yang pier in Chumphon which leave twice a day at 7:00 am and 1:00 pm.

Koh Phangan - From Bangkok catch a bus from the Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Surat Thani Province. The journey takes about 10 hours. Then take a local bus or taxi to the ferry port in Amphoe Don Sak. The Lomprayah travel package is also available from Bangkok to Koh Phangan.

Koh Phi Phi - From Bangkok catch a bus from the Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Krabi Province. Then travel to Ji Lard pier which is approximately 2km away from Krabi town. Moreover, you can also board a boat from Krabi’s Chao Fah pier and Ao Nang Beach, the journey usually takes 1 and 2.30 hours respectively.

Koh Similan - From Bangkok catch a bus from the Sai Tai Mai Bus Terminal to Phang-Nga Province. The travel to Thap Lamu pier where you can ride a high speed boat or motorboat. The regular boat leaves once a day at around 8:00 am and the journey usually takes about 1 hour. Koh Similan is open to tourists only during 15 November to 16 May.

Koh Tao (Via Koh Samui)

The quickest way to Koh Tao is by way of Bangkok Airways who fly direct from Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and a number of other destinations.

Upon arrival at Koh Samui, one can arrange transfer to Koh Tao through the airport information desk. Koh Tao can only be reached by boat as there is no airport on Koh Tao itself. We recommend the 1 hour voyage by either the Lomprayah Catamaran or the Seatran Discovery which leave twice daily for Koh Tao. There are other options available via other boats, but these are by far the fastest and best ways to reach Koh Tao. Regardless of which option you choose you should be aware that the last boat leaving Koh Samui for Koh Tao is 12 noon.

The last catamaran leaving Koh Tao for Samui is at 3pm daily, so any onward flight bookings/reservations should ideally be scheduled for after 6pm to allow for any unforeseen delays. Transfers from the piers to the airport are readily available for minimal sums and in some cases included in the catamaran pricelist. Whatever you prefer, you can book directly through the above links online or you can book all your transfers through Coral Grand Resort.

Pattaya - The easiest and most cost affective way to Pattaya is to catch an air conditioner bus from the Ekkamai Bus Terminal. Busses start from 6:00 am up to 11:00 pm ticket cost about 120 Baht. For Ekkamai Bus Terminal you can take the BTS (sky train) and get down at Ekkamai Station on Sukhumvit Road.

Are the trains safe?

The trains are usually safe. Occasional theft occurs, but mostly train travel is a pleasant experience. However, you should be careful of your belongings. Many travelers inexplicably decide to get overtly drunk on the trains. While drunk passengers aren’t a threat to others, intoxication isn't a great way to protect oneself from being robbed and/or falling out a train door. (The doors are often open and smokers sit on the steps.).

Do the trains run on time?

Yes, trains depart as per the fixed schedule. In order to check the trains’ schedules, contact the Bangkok Railways Station (Hualampong) at Tel: (662) 225-0300, 223-0341-8, 223-7461 (24 hours), Hot Line: 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th

Is it easy to rent a car or motorcycle?

There are many car, motorbike, and jeep rental firms in Bangkok and the rest of Thailand, including international rental companies such as Hertz, Budget and Avis. One may drive legally in Thailand with a valid license from most countries, but many rental agencies will either not give you a car or not provide insurance for it without an international driving license. That said, the insurance you get with your rental car is generally not worth the paper it is written on. Exercize caution and avoid accidents. Helmets are required by law for motorbikes, shoes are required by common sense.

Which is the better way to travel around Thailand - train or bus?

For long distance travel, compared to bus, train is generally the better option as the seating is more spacious with ample legroom and you can get up and walk up and down the train, sit in the dining car to eat (when available) and relax on your own bed (if you're on a sleeper). Buses are generally faster than the trains as they depart more frequently than the trains do and travel at faster speeds. For short trips (up to four-five hours) Busses may be preferable, though for anything longer, when available, train is a better option. However, getting to destinations not served by train will be faster and cheaper by bus than by train/bus combination.

The State Railway of Thailand runs an efficient rail service linking Bangkok (Hua Lam Pong is the central train station) to the rest of the country (Tel: (662) 225-0300, 223-0341-8, 223-7461 (24 hours), Hot Line: 1690 or visit the website at www.railway.co.th

Is it safe to drive?What are the roads like?Which side do they drive on?

There are some considerations foreigners should take into account when driving a car or motorcycle in Thailand:

Motorists in Thailand are legally required to drive on the left side of the road. Consequently, cars are equipped with right-hand drive steering wheels.

Most drivers are well mannered, almost polite, up to a certain level. You will hardly ever hear a car honking and anger is never displayed. Despite this, traffic is rather hectic in and around busy Bangkok where calm driving is not really appreciated and a more aggressive style of driving is the norm.

On many rural roads or even in Bangkok's small alleys, you will find motorcycles, cars and occasionally your 12 wheel trucks maneuvering against (one way) traffic. This situation is complicated by the fact that many of Bangkok's roads change their one-way direction at certain hours of the day. Driving defensively should protect you from unexpected oncoming traffic.

Driving around Thailand's country side at night is considered to be extremely hazardous, especially on holidays and long weekends when there is a greater danger from alcohol impaired drivers. Furthermore, many cars have broken lights or no lights at all and public busses like to race one another through steep hills and around dangerous curves supposedly just to stay awake.

What are the Driving Laws and Regulations?

The road system in Thailand is good and well posted with traffic signs, warning signs and regulatory signs to help you drive easily. A Driving License is mandatory while driving, and an international driving license is preferred though occasionally a valid license from your home country will suffice. According to the Thai driving regulations, a person must not be drunk, should be fully conscious, should have a good eye-sight, and should not be sleepy. It is suggested to stop your car either at the side of the road if you are unable to drive due to sleepiness.

Do I need an International Driver's License to drive in Thailand?

Yes, if you want to experience driving in Thailand, you should have an International Driving License. Although short term visitors can legally drive with a valid drivers license from many countries, an international driving license is the preferred norm.

International Driver's License

If you would like to apply for an International Driver's License you have to provide the following documents:

Passport with Non-immigrant Visa

Present a letter of current residence certified by an Embassy of your Country.

BTS is an elevated electric rail service known as the “sky train” or “bee-tee-ess”.

You can easily travel around the main arteries of greater Bangkok by BTS; key attractions nearby BTS stations are MBK, Siam Paragon, Chatuchak Weekend Market, and Victory Monument. The While the BTS doesn’t reach Bangkok’s historic Rattakosin district, it links to the Chao Phraya River where boats can be taken to sights including the Grand Palace and Wat Arun. The BTS also links with the MRT in several locations.

The MRT is an underground electric train service. The attractions at various MRT stations in Bangkok include Suan Lum Night Bazaar (and Boxing Arena), Queen Sirikit Cenvention Center, Chatuchak weekend market, and the Thailand Cultural center. The MRT connects to Bangkoks Hua Lumphong Train station (which connects Bangkok to the rest of Thailand) near Chinatown. Both the BTS and MRT operate until midnight.

What about Boats, Ships and Ferries?

River express and canal boats regularly ply several routes unaffected by the constant traffic on the roads, and are very cheap too. Boats on the Chao Phraya river or the city’s numerous “back alley” canals is one of the most time and cost efficient ways to travel. Often cited as one of the top bargains in Thailand is the 1 hour 15 minute boat trip from the pier near the Oriental Hotel all the way up to Nonthaburi, a Bangkok suburb, for only 10B (0.25 US$) per person. The Khlong Saen Saep canal boats go across Bangkok for the same kind of price also.

Chao Phraya River boats go up and down the large Chao Phraya river, along which there are around 20 main stops. They can be substantially quicker than the equivalent journey by road. For example, a trip from the Grand Palace to the Silom district could easily take over an hour by taxi depending on traffic, while the boat ride will only take around 15 or 20 minutes at any given time of day. As the BTS connects to the river at Saphan Taksin-Sathorn, it is convenient to switch between the rail and boat lines.

The boats on the river are long, fast, and normally colored white with a red stripe. Fares vary slightly according to the destination; they're between 5B and 10B. Boats seem to come around every 20 minutes, start at 5.30am and the last boat leaves each end at 6pm.

It can be easy to get confused when trying to take a River Express boat. At each pier, there is a cross river service (costing 2B or 3B), which leave almost constantly throughout the day. These are much smaller boats and as they are often fairly empty, they are normally waiting by the pier when you get there. When you see (or hear the whistle of) a River Express boat approaching the pier, don't hesitate as they only wait for a few seconds. Everyone scrambles to get on and off as quickly as possible, and a slight delay will cost you a place on the boat. Tickets can either be bought on the boat or at the pier. Piers are marked in English and Thai, so it's easy to know where to get off.

Is local transportation easily accessible?

Normal means of local transportation that can be easily found in Thailand include: busses, taxis, tuk tuks, BTS sky train, motorcycle taxis, MRT (underground train), and river taxis. These are always available and easy to access.

How can I find information on transportation options?

You can acquire transportation information and options at the airport. You can also check it out from enquiry offices or hotels. Or for more information, please visit www.tourismthailand.org/transportation/

All the travel information regarding products, services and travel deals on the website is provided by the suppliers of the particular products and services. The information may change without notice; therefore, check the accuracy of the information with the relevant supplier before making use of it.